Development of an autonomous station for measurements of artificial gamma activity in surface water bodies.

This paper reports on the structure of the autonomous station for monitoring artificial gamma activity in surface water bodies for the purposes of emergency preparedness of the Czech Republic. A simple design based on the NaI(Tl) submersible detector powered by a combined solar and wind source has been employed. Data transfer is provided by a satellite connection.

Determination of chemical forms of C in liquid discharges from nuclear power plants.

Developments of radioanalytical methods for determination of radiocarbon in wastewaters from nuclear power plants (NPP) with pressurized light water reactors, which would distinguish between the dissolved organic and inorganic forms have been carried out. After preliminary tests, the method was used to process pilot samples from wastewater outlets from the Temelín and Dukovany NPPs (Czech Republic). The results of analysis of pilot water samples collected in 2015 indicate that the instantaneous C releases into the water streams would be about 7.

The valley system of the Jihlava river and Mohelno reservoir with enhanced tritium activities.

The Dukovany nuclear power plant (NPP Dukovany) releases liquid effluents, including HTO, to the Mohelno reservoir, located in a deep valley. Significantly enhanced tritium activities were observed in the form of non-exchangeable organically bound tritium in the surrounding biota which lacks direct contact with the water body. This indicates a tritium uptake by plants from air moisture and haze, which is, besides the uptake by roots from soil, one of the most important mechanisms of tritium transfer from environment to plants.

Enhanced activities of organically bound tritium in biota samples.

A pilot study aimed on possible occurrence of elevated activity of non-exchangable organically bound tritium (NE-OBT) in biota was performed. The first results showed a significant surplus of NE-OBT activity in biota of the valley of Mohelno reservoir and Jihlava river. The liquid releases of HTO from the nuclear power plant Dukovany is the source of tritium in this area.

Satellite cysts and biliary fistulas in hydatid liver disease. A retrospective study of 17 liver resections.

In Switzerland, the preferred mode of treatment for hydatid liver disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus is surgery, giving us the opportunity for a retrospective histopathologic study of 17 consecutive liver resections. We focused on the occurrence of satellite cysts and of biliary fistulas and their effects on bile ducts. Of 17 patients, 6 (35%) had one or more satellite cysts, to be distinguished from internal daughter cysts.